All About Bellydance

All About Bellydance Say hello to your hips with Bloomington instructor Donna Carlton.

Donna Carlton is a Bloomington-based instructor and performer who fell in love with bellydance music as a newbie student. She credits Middle Eastern dance, as a practice, with providing a way to lose oneself in the music and the moment, and to flow without overthinking. Donna authored a book (Looking for Little Egypt, published 1995) about the history and perception of Middle Eastern dance in the

United States. For many years, she published a guide to educational dance videos for members of the dance community and sponsored workshops and shows with notable dance educators. She served her dance community with involvement in the Indiana State Association of Middle Eastern Teachers & Dancers as an officer for multiple terms. Thousands of students took her Middle Eastern dance and yoga classes in the years that she taught at the IU School of Public Health-Kinesiology Department. She has been a regular volunteer at Lotus Blossoms Family Bazaar since it started in 1997, engaging with hundreds of elementary schoolers. She has performed at countless venues professionally in Central and Southern Indiana and performed with her group at the Fourth Street Festival of Arts & Crafts for 25 years. Currently, Donna teaches dance classes in the community and performs on oud, guitar, and vocals with Indy Raqs band at dance and cultural events.

06/05/2026

Have a great weekend, dancers!

Connect with artists in our community through a Pillar Arts membership!
05/14/2026

Connect with artists in our community through a Pillar Arts membership!

Looking to connect with other creatives and grow your presence in the local arts community?

A Pillar Arts membership gives artists opportunities to collaborate, network, and share ideas through community events and creative partnerships. 💃

Members also receive discounted access to the performance space at Pillar Arts Alliance Center for performances, workshops, gatherings, and more.

Join us in building a stronger, more connected arts community in South Central Indiana! Register for membership at pillararts.org/become-a-member 💫

Thank you for sharing this, Shahrzad!
04/22/2026

Thank you for sharing this, Shahrzad!

Say Hello to Your Hips with Ms. Donna! INTRO to BELLYDANCE Thursday evenings 7pm at Pillar Arts Alliance Center inside C...
04/21/2026

Say Hello to Your Hips with Ms. Donna! INTRO to BELLYDANCE Thursday evenings 7pm at Pillar Arts Alliance Center inside College Mall.

Photo courtesy of SJ Images.

It's spring! So that means we are getting ready to volunteer with Lotus Blossoms programs presented at Fairview Elementa...
03/24/2026

It's spring! So that means we are getting ready to volunteer with Lotus Blossoms programs presented at Fairview Elementary.

Lotus Blossoms brings great events to students and the community this spring.
03/18/2026

Lotus Blossoms brings great events to students and the community this spring.

Written from announcement BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — March 16, 2026 The Lotus Education & Arts Foundation is gearing up for its 2026 Lotus Blossoms season, a four-week spring series of performances, workshops and cultural events designed to bring global music and arts experiences to south-central Indiana...

Intro Level class Thursdays 7pm. Join us! 812-330 one eight three one!
03/12/2026

Intro Level class Thursdays 7pm. Join us! 812-330 one eight three one!

03/09/2026
When it's almost spring and you need a good shimmy, with Indy Raqs at Pillar Arts Alliance Center in College Mall.
03/09/2026

When it's almost spring and you need a good shimmy, with Indy Raqs at Pillar Arts Alliance Center in College Mall.

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